Plantagenet Kings

The Plantagenet kings of England were kings from the French family hailing from Anjou who ruled England from 1154 to 1485. The reign of the Plantagenet kings of England started with Henry II and ended with the death of Richard III. The dynasty is generally identified with the name of Plantagenet, although there were other royal houses such as Lancaster and York during the same period too.

King Edward I was famous for his temperament. He reformed the royal administration and common law. King Edward I was an able military leader. King Edward I was criticised for his brutality towards the Scots. Read more about the King Edward I (Longshanks) >>

King Edward II was a failure as a king and ruler and his sexuality was questioned, King Edward II was believed to be in a relationship with Piers Gaveston, the son of a Household Knight. Read more about the King Edward II >>

King Edward III was a strong medieval king who restored the Royal authority. King Edward III also united the people against the French. King Edward III was a good medieval King who united the people. Read more about the King Edward III >>

King Henry II ruled from 1154 until 1189, he was described as a ruthless leader, however he managed to achieve so much, conquering large parts of France, establishing English common law and the basis for the future monarchy. Read more about the King Henry II >>

King Richard II was considered an intelligent King, but he was not a warrior like his grandfather. Although in the early part of his rule, he resolved the Peasants' Revolt with courage and cunning having the leaders killed. Read more about the King Richard II >>

King Richard I was also commonly known as "Richard the Lionheart" for his bravery. Richard the Lionheart was a brave warrior who fought Saladin in the Crusades. King Richard I was the son of another great warrior Henry II. Read more about the Richard The Lionheart >>

Plantagenet Kings Period in England Timeline

The era of the Plantagenet kings of England started from 1154 with the ascension of Henry II to the throne. Henry II ruled till his death in 1189 after which Richard the Lionheart ascended to the throne and ruled till his death in 1199. The Plantagenet kings of England ruled the land till the end of the Hundred Years’ War in which they were conclusively defeated with the last king Richard III dying in the Battle of Bosworth also know as the battle of Bosworth Field.

Who were the Plantagenet Kings?

The Plantagenet Dynasty can be sub-divided into Angevins kings who ruled from 1154 till 1216. During this era, the rulers were Henry II, Richard I, and John I. from 1216 to 1399, the Plantagenet rulers were Henry III, Edward I, Edward II, Edward III, and Richard II. After that, till 1485, rulers came from the houses of Lancaster and York. Theses rulers were Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI, Edward IV, Edward V, and Richard III.

Most famous Plantagenet Kings

Some of the most famous rulers of British history belonged to the Plantagenet Dynasty. For instance, Richard I, also known as Richard the Lionheart, was famous for leading the Third Crusade and conquering much of France. King John I was famous because it was during his reign that the Magna Carta was drafted and passed, although he was not a particularly successful king.

The Plantagenet Kings ruled England from 1154 to 1485

The Plantagenet Kings came from France just like earlier Norman Kings

Notable Plantagenet Kings were Henry II and Richard the Lionheart

Plantagenet Kings were in control of England until the end of the Hundred years War

Richard the Lionheart led the third crusade during the Plantagenet Kings period

Best Plantagenet Kings

Henry II, the first ruler in the Plantagenet Dynasty is often also considered one of the best rulers of the dynasty. He laid the foundations of a unified Britain and also gave England its Common Law. Henry III who ruled from 1216 to 1272 can also be considered one of the best rulers of the dynasty since it was during his era that Oxford and Cambridge universities were established and the parliament, known as the House of Commons, started.

Who were the worst Plantagenet Kings?

One of the worst rulers from the Plantagenet Dynasty was Edward II who ruled from 1307 to 1327. He invaded Scotland in 1314 to suppress the popular revolt but was defeated at Bannockburn. He was eventually deposed by his wife Isabella in 1327 and her lover Roger de Mortimer and murdered.

Plantagenet Kings Achievements

Various accomplishments can be attributed to the Plantagenet kings of England. To begin with, it was the first ruler of the dynasty Henry II who laid the basis of English Common Law. It was also during the reign of the Plantagenet Kings that the House of Commons was established. Large towns were established during this era and trade flourished, although the Hundred Years’ War left the economy in shambles.

Plantagenet Kings Summary

The Plantagenet kings of England ruled Britain from 1154 to 1485. The dynasty began with the ascension of Henry II to the throne and ended with the death of Richard III. The kings of the dynasty mainly hailed from the houses of Angevins, Lancaster, and York.

Historically important events happened during the Plantagenet Kings era like the Magna Carta signing

Henry II was the first King during the Plantagenet Kings era

Not only was King Henry II the first but he was also considered to be the best Plantagenet king

The world-famous Oxford and Cambridge universities were founded during the Plantagenet period

Parliament (the House of Commons) was established around the 12 century in the Plantagenet king period

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